Gaius Caesonius Macer Rufinianus

Gaius Caesonius Macer Rufinianus (c. AD 157 – c. AD 237) was a Roman military officer and senator who was appointed suffect consul in around AD 197 or 198. He was the first member of gens Caesonia to hold a consulship. Biography Caesonius Macer, the son of Gaius, was a member of the second century gens Caesonia, a family which originated from Italy, possibly hailing from Antium. Possibly of equestrian origin, he began his career probably towards the end of the reign of Marcus Aurelius as a member of the vigintiviri where, as a triumvir capitalis, he managed the prisons in Rome. Sometime between AD 178 and 180, Caesonius Macer was commissioned military tribune of the Legio I Adiutrix which was stationed at Brigetio in Pannonia Superior. Here he fought under Marcus Aurelius in the Second Marcomannic War, during which time his unit was awarded dona militaria (or military honours) by the emperor. His next posting was as quaestor in the province of Gallia Narbonensis, after which he returned to Rome to serve as plebeian tribune, probably under the new emperor Commodus. In around AD 185, Caesonius Macer continued his climb up the cursus honorum with his appointment as legatus proconsulis, where he assisted the governor of Hispania Baetica in his duties. Then in around AD 187, he was back in Rome where he was elected praetor. His somewhat lengthy propraetorian career began with being once again selected legatus proconsulis, this time assisting the governor of Asia. Next, he served as Curator rei publicae Asculanorum (or an officer overseeing financial issues in Asculum).